The C.O.B.R.A Effect

Unforeseen problems of the scientific nature often require scientific ingenuity to solve, which sometimes leads to unforeseen-er results.

Level: 13
Start: Aby Stander, Government Center, Heinlein Stronghold

Introduction

Aby Stander: EEEK! Getitawaygetitaway killitwithfire!!

The normally raucous ambiance of the Science Fair, once government center, on Heinlein Stronghold is punctuated by a blood-curdling shriek of an otherwise fairly average bystander. Various Scientist Schismatics pause in their loud demonstrations of some scientific principal or wacky invention to peer towards the screeching woman in curiosity.

Drawn to the sound yourself, you note that she appears to be performing that odd dance of a person at the same time repulsed by something and trying to will their body away while also trying to stamp it to crunchy death. The odd thing in nature chitters at her mechanically and then skitters right in your direction!

• Leap out of the way!
• Catch it!
• Destroy it with the G.O.L.E.M!
• Stomp on it!

Catch:
(Agility check)

Success:

Moving deftly and swallowing any errant ancestral memory currently screaming at you to run away from the strangely skittering object that emulates a creature of some ancient nightmare, you snatch it off the ground as it attempts to run past.

As you grab the, for want of a better word, 'creature' a drone descends and scans you. Moments later you receive a CORETECHS notification.

Stomp:
(Strength check)

Failure:

The strange, mechanical object resists your clunky attempts at capture, skittering between your legs, under stalls, and weaving throughout panicking passersby.

• Leap out of the way!
• Catch it!
• Destroy it with the G.O.L.E.M!
• Stomp on it!

Success:

With a strength born of centuries of evolved instincts to destroy the skittering creatures rushing through the shadows, you bring down your foot onto the small mechanical nightmare. With a sickening crunch, it comes to a full stop.

For a moment, the crowd pauses and looks at you with bemusement. A drone suddenly descends and scans you and you receive a CORETECHS notification.

Either choice continue:

CONGRATULATIONS! You have captured a C.O.B.R.A. Proceed to the brig in order to receive your reward. The Sarge.

See The Sarge in the Brig to learn more about these C.O.B.R.As.

G.O.L.E.M:

Remembering you still have an active connection to Malleable's G.O.L.E.M, you quickly summon it and use it to dispatch the vermin-like mechanical creature. A segment of your vision momentarily synch's up with that of the G.O.L.E.M as you watch it dispatch a volley of tiny, guided projectiles that cascade down onto the strange vermin with miniature explosions.

With a chittering shriek, the skittering contraption meets its demise, though the surrounding crowd does not seem as shocked as you might expect given the mini-ballistic missiles that poured out of the air to dispatch it. This, you imagine, is very much a symptom of the out-of-the-box, tinkering type of society inherent to Heinlein Stronghold.

You almost immediately receive a CORETECHS message from Malleable via the G.O.L.E.M interface.

Ooh! Sneaky…I'd totally forgotten to disconnect you from my girl, Golem! Thanks for the lateral heads up. This one's a freebie, you use her again for more Cobras though, and I'ma want a cut!

With that mysterious message transmitted, you are left standing over the smoldering wreckage of this thing, apparently called a Cobra. Aby Stander now looks on with mild interest, though this is gradually declining as well.

• "Are you OK?"
• "What was that?!"
• "What's a C.O.B.R.A?"

Leap:

Feeling a primal surge of what can most accurately be described as, 'the willies' you leap several meters to the left as a strange, mechanical creature skitters past you and into the shadows. For a moment, you and the woman look at each other, bonding over your mutual revulsion.

• "Are you OK?"
• "What was that?!"

OK:

Me: Smog! That thing was strange! Are you ok?

The woman, whom your CORETECHS ID's as Aby Stander, makes a number of nauseated sounds and gyrations before replying.

Aby Stander: Euurgh…it's just a C.O.B.R.A. But I haaaate them!

What was that:

Me: What in the smoggiest smog was that thing?!

The woman, who your CORETECHS identifies as Aby Stander, takes a moment to compose herself and allow several involuntary squeamish shrugs to pass over her. With a look of no small repulsion, she answers.

Aby Stander: Eeeuuurgh… I hate them I hate them!! It was a C.O.B.R.A. They're everywhere!

Either choice continues:

• "What's a C.O.B.R.A?"
• "A snake?"

Snake:

Me: "Cobra? Like, a snake?"

Aby stares at you blankly for a moment before replying.

Aby Stander: What's a snake? No, this is a C.O.B.R.A. A Cybernetic Object Built to Replicate Autonomously. They are an absolute nuisance and soooooo gross! The Sarge over in the Brig claims to be dealing with them, though, if you ask me, they seem to be multiplying! Feel free to follow up with her if you're interested. I have to go and take several sonic showers now…

What's a C.O.B.R.A:

Me: So what exactly is a C.O.B.R.A? It did NOT look friendly!

Ab Stander: They're more of a nuisance than anything, I think. I don't know much about them beyond the fact that the name stands for Cybernetic Object Built to Replicate Autonomously. Yeah…the Scientist Schismatic's love their wordplay. I also know they completely freak me the smog out! The Sarge over in the Brig says she is dealing with them, but they only seem to be increasing in numbers. Feel free to follow up with her, I am off to spend the rest of the day scrubbing myself in a sonic bath.

All paths continue:

• "I'll go and see The Sarge."
• "Maybe some other time."

Some other time:

Aby shrugs and moves on, leaving you to continue your journeys.

You have failed the "The C.O.B.R.A Effect" mission. You can retake this mission and try again.

Sarge:

Me: Color me intrigued. I'll go and ask this Sarge about these 'Cobras' then…

Speak to the Sarge in the Brig to learn about C.O.B.R.A.s

All paths continue:

Next NPC: The Sarge, Brig, Heinlein Stronghold

• Ask about C.O.B.R.As.

Outside the brig, you notice the Scientist Schismatic called Moss the Maddest scanning the area with a strange headset. A couple of snoozing Scientist Schismatics seem to be the only other current occupants in the lower level of the brig. Here also is where you locate a large Mallish female whose CORETECHS ID simply reads as, 'The Sarge'. She looks up at you and elicits a noncommittal grunt, presumably in lieu of an inquiry as to your purpose here.

You initially inquire about C.O.B.R.As and she perks up to some degree or at least she seems to scowl a little less. She clears her throat and launches into a small monologue that may or may not have been rehearsed a number of times before this.

The Sarge: C.O.B.R.A stands for Cybernetic Organism Built to Replicate Autonomously. They are the result of some ill-thought invention by one of the schismatics some time ago. I would be lying if I said I know their original purpose. As far as I can figure, it seems to have been aggravation, namely mine. They scavenge parts and replicate endlessly. Now, however, it is actually bordering on dangerous…

• "Your name is The Sarge?"
• "I smooshed one." (if you stomped it)
• "Dangerous?"
• "I caught one." (if you caught it)

Smooshed:

Me: Ok, so I stomped one of these C.O.B.R.As. There was mention of a reward?

Caught:

Me: Ok, so I caught one of these C.O.B.R.A.s. There was mention of a reward?

Either choice continues:

The Sarge settles back in her chair, expansive arms crossing as she adopts a more business-like attitude.

The Sarge: Ah yes, so you did. And yes, there's a reward for each C.O.B.R.A caught or dispatched. I instituted the reward as incentive in order to help quell the problem but…to be honest…it does not seem to be helping.

The Sarge narrows her eyes, eyes that seem to slightly glaze as she seems to scan you with her CORETECHS. After a unit or two of that, she elicits another of her grunts.

The Sarge: Huh, thought you looked familiar. You've actually been around huh? Not the shabbiest record, either…

She purses her lips in thought for a moment before continuing.

The Sarge: Reckon you want to give us a hand? See, the issue is actually getting worse. C.O.B.R.As seem to be appearing in greater numbers, even though tons of people are catching them in! Now, you're welcome to claim the usual reward and let that be the end of it, or you can help me nip this in the bud and take all the allocated budget for all the rewards! Whaddya say?

• "I'll just take the reward."
• "Dangerous?"
• "Sure, I'll help."

Name:

Me: So, wait. Your actual name is, 'The Sarge?'

The Sarge's previous scowling expression returns like a thundercloud darkening across her features. She growls and responds through clenched teeth:

The Sarge: Yes…that would be my name.

• "Your first name is…The"

Me: So your first name would be…The?

The Sarge pinches the bridge of her nose and lets out a combination of sigh and growl. You have the impression this has come up before…

The Sarge: It was not the most thought out decision of my life, alright? At the time I felt that my new freebooter ID would be hard. I have, since, regretted the exact wording. CAN we move on?

• "Dangerous?"
• "I smooshed one." (if you stomped it)
• "I caught one." (if you caught it)

Dangerous:

Me: "Wait, you say these things are dangerous?"

The Sarge waves a large hand dismissively.

The Sarge: Not in and of themselves per se. They don't attack or cause any direct harm, but they have started to widen their field of scavenging for parts. I don't know how or why, or if there is some sort of weird, mechanical evolution, but they are starting to gut machinery and systems that are uncomfortably close to primary. Today its the wiring from a cleaning bot, but tomorrow it could be an airlock!

The Sarge: Actually almost was, maybe. One was caught scampering onboard a Consortium shuttle that had paid all its dues to bring some Consortium egg-heads over. Not that I absolutely would mind a Conny shuttle going down. But a technical act of war coming about on my watch could be kind of embarrassing.

• "I'll just take the reward." (if you caught or stomped it)
• "Sure, I'll help."

Reward:

Me: Mechanical snakes propagating all over the station huh? Good luck with that! I'll just take the reward for the one though, thanks!

The Sarge holds up her hands in the time-honored gesture for, 'fair enough' and adds a shrug to really drive the point home.

The Sarge: Well, all right then. Can't fault you. Enjoy your hard earned credits and try not to spend them all at once!

She swipes a hand through the air, manipulating some interface only she can see and several units later your CORETECHS informs you of an incoming transfer. You note a slight smirk on The Sarge's features, perhaps linked to the amount.

Mission success

You have received 10.00 credits.

You have completed the "The C.O.B.R.A Effect" mission.

Help:

Me: Sure, it sounds like an interesting challenge. Let me help you out.

The Sarge nods and rests further back on her chair, leaning her feet onto the table. You note that the girth of each leg resembles a tree trunk of old. She gestures with open palms and responds:

The Sarge: Sounds good! Well, I'm open to ideas. As I said, I've had this reward scheme going for awhile, but the situation is only getting worse. I did try hunting them myself with some staff, but again, they would just seem to increase in numbers before too long.

• "I could try and hack this C.O.B.R.A." (if you caught one)
• "I'll interview people."
• "I'll track some C.O.B.R.A.s."

Hack:

Me: We have a C.O.B.R.A right here. Maybe we can tap into its systems and see what we can learn?

The Sarge nods slowly and rests her chin on her knuckles thoughtfully. The C.0.B.R.A you are carrying slowly moves its legs impotently, almost as if in awkward anticipation.

The Sarge: Could be something to that, worth a shot at least.

• "Actually, maybe I'll try something else first."
• Try and hack into the C.O.B.R.A's systems.

Try:
(Intelligence check)

Failure:

For a machine whose only function is to self propagate, you find its security network surprisingly sophisticated.

• "Actually, maybe I'll try something else first."
• Try and hack into the C.O.B.R.A's systems.

Success:

After several complex operations via your CORETECHS, you finally find a way through the various and intricate firewalls that protect the C.O.B.R.A's internal systems. You navigate the strangely designed pathways via your CORETECHS until a number of options finally present themselves.

• "Actually, maybe I'll try something else first."
• Peruse the various system protocols.
• Trace construction origin pathways.

System protocols:

You swipe through the various folders and menus and note a number of interesting looking menu options.

• Contact Primadev.
• Initiate P.I.P.E.R Protocol.
• Initiate Systemic Shutdown

Contact Primadev:

You note a strange command line that reads: CONTACT PRIMADEV. Feeling curious and with a growing suspicion of familiarity you activate it. Plus, you think to yourself, you're willing to try anything at this point. After a moment, your CORETECHS seems to initialize a call. Moss the Maddest soon answers.

Moss the Maddest: Hello! Scientist Schismatics, have you tried turning it off and on again?

• "Turn them off!"
• "Primadev?"

Primadev?:

Me: I might regret asking but…what is a Primadev?

**Moss the Maddest:* Well I'm glad you asked! It stands for Prime Developer and lends the entire notion a bit of a colorful turn of phrase to boot! Sort of like primadonna, but in a more techy department! Are there any further queries can help you with?

• "Turn them off!"
• "So that's you?"

You:

Me: So you're the primary developer?"

You can almost hear Moss emphatically and helpfully nodding. After a unit of silence from his side, he presumably remembers you are not seeing him live and chips in.

Moss the Maddest: Yes. In this case, of this particular dynasty, for want of a better word, of C.O.B.R.A units. There are many lines, of course, as more of us built them to take advantage of The Sarge's deal, and they're all intrinsically linked on a network level.

Moss pauses again, perhaps nodding some more, before once again asking in his crisp and enunciated voice:

Moss the Maddest: Are there any further queries can help you with?

• "Turn them off!"

Me: Off! Turn them all off and not back on! Turn the C.O.B.R.A off please!

You do your best to get the request or verbal command prompt across as clearly as possible.

Moss the Maddest: Oh! Would you like to initiate a system-wide shutdown of the C.O.B.R.A unit line?

Me: Yes!

The Sarge, who you can see just beyond the interface of your call and who is not currently privy to the conversation, is watching with one eyebrows raised and her mouth resting, hidden, behind her fists.

Moss the Maddest: And just to confirm, this is system-wide. You want to apply a complete shutdown of all C.O.B.R.A units, not just my own line.

Me: YES!!

The Sarge's other eyebrow shoots up in curiosity at your outburst. She says nothing, however, and continues to watch you with a mixture of bemused curiosity and something, perhaps, bordering on defeat.

Moss the Maddest: All right! Executing now. Yes, in retrospect I suppose it is far safer to shut them all down now that we don't need to manufacture them for the reward anymore. It's been a pleasure, thank you for your call!

The cacophony of shrieks and frightened yells from the areas around the station, beyond the brig, seem to quell and peter out. Eventually there is nothing but a dim, almost breathless silence. The Sarge spreads her hands and dares a tentative smile of hope.

The Sarge: It's done?

• "I think so."

%%%%%

P.I.P.E.R:

Tentatively, you select the command called P.I.P.E.R protocol. The C.O.B.R.A in your hands begins to emit an electronic chirping at the same time as a new interface opens up in your field of view.

You observe what appears to be a stylized map overlay of the station. Your eye is drawn to a green pinging that seems to coincide with the electronic chirping from your C.O.B.R.A. You note the green ping seems to be hovering over a building that, to the best of your understanding, is the location of the brig on this map.

As you observe the little green ping that seems to originate from your C.O.B.R.A, you notice a number of other pings appear throughout the map. These ones seem to be orange in color and they pop up more and more, as if in answer to the green ping. You note they also begin moving towards your apparent location on the map. Soon, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of orange pinging dots blinking their way towards the brig.

• "I've called them."
• Wait and see what happens.

Called:

Me: I think I might have just summoned them…all of them!

The Sarge's eyebrow arches in response. She asks for an explanation and you explain that it seems P.I.P.E.R initiates some sort of C.O.B.R.A escort protocol! The C.O.B.R.A on the station are now all following the location of the C.O.B.R.A in your hand. Thousands are currently on their way to the brig right now!

The Sarge: Ok, stay calm. Act quickly, but stay calm…Ok, lets act very quickly!! They're all following your C.O.B.R.A. Can we lure them somewhere?

• "Lead them to the ruins?"
• "What about that Consortium shuttle?"
• "How do you dispose of garbage?"

Shuttle:

Me: Hadn't you mentioned a Consortium shuttle that had arrived earlier?

The Sarge pauses a moment and then a slow, mischievous smile spreads across her lips.

The Sarge: Ooh, that is delightful. Smog, its almost evil! Yeees, lead them into the shuttle, closet he doors, Consortium's problem!

• "Shuttle sounds good."
• "Lead them to the ruins?" / "Ruins sounds best."
• "How do you dispose of garbage?" / "Trash barge seems a good bet."

Ruins:

Me: If I led them all to the ruins, anything we can do in that vicinity to destroy them?

The Sarge: Yes! Good idea, you get them there post-haste and I'll round up something nice and explosive. The Playground is away from the general populace and used to randomized destruction so we should be able to drop the hammer of indiscriminate carnage!

• "What about that Consortium shuttle?" / "Shuttle sounds good."
• "Ruins sounds best."
• "How do you dispose of garbage?" / "Trash barge seems a good bet."

Garbage:

Me: How would you go about disposing of bulk waste around here?

The Sarge: I see what you're getting at, and it just might work too! We have a garbage barge, hauls it towards the suns and then launches it in their direction. If you can get to the port and lure all the C.O.B.R.A onto the barge, we may be golden!

• "What about that Consortium shuttle?" / "Shuttle sounds good."
• "Trash barge seems a good bet."
• "Lead them to the ruins?" / "Ruins sounds best."

Trash barge:

Me: I think luring them onto the trash barge is the safest and cleanest option.

The Sarge: Aye, agreed. One isn't due to leave anytime soon but I'll amend that. You get to the port and she'll be waiting for you. Look for the signs towards the Wasted Potential. Yes, we're a witty bunch, I know…

The Sarge gets onto her CORETECHS to quickly make arrangements for the Trash Barge to leave soon. As you ready to leave the brig and head to the port, you reflect that given how loud the skittering is becoming, it is not a moment too soon!

Go to the Port on Heinlein Stronghold.

Next area: Port, Heinlein Stronghold

• Lead the C.O.B.R.A to the Wasted Potential.

By the time you arrive at the port, you have amassed quite the skittering army. A horde of tiny C.O.B.R.A leap over stalls, run beneath legs and generally make travelers leap out of the way in fear and and instinctive repulsion evolved out of many centuries of fearing what crawls under the kitchen sink.

Soon, a naturally formed cone of gibberish, fearful humanity has formed and leads you directly towards the waste disposal section of the port that houses the barge known as Wasted Potential. Docklands, apprised of your impending arrival, have already opened the cargo bulkhead and usher you in their direction. You note that a number of them stand atop whatever raised surface they can find.

You enter the depths of the barge, thankfully unlit as the cocktail of scents that assault your senses leaves little to the imagination. The sounds of thousands of tiny bodies skittering through the muck around you is also, you feel, a sight best unseen. Depositing your C.O.B.R.A in the deepest part of the garbage ship, you make a hasty exit and, after double checking that all orange blips are aboard, you instruct the deck hands to close her up!

As the Wasted Potential and her payload of chittering madness proceed through the gigantic airlock and on through towards the system's twin suns, a notification arrives on your CORETECHS:

Congratulations! Job well done! I'm transferring all the remaining reward funds to you and heartily recommending you to anyone who inquires. I am now going to have several hundred sonic showers! The ;-)

Mission success

You have received 200.00 credits.

You have completed the "The C.O.B.R.A Effect" mission.

Construction origin:

Scanning the options available in the core file location, you notcie one labelled, "Construction Origin." Feeling your curiosity piqued, you select this option and a list of numbers and locations pour forth. Presumably, these are designations for individual C.O.B.R.A units on this models line, and the locations where they constructed new units. The very interesting thing is that the very first entry is not a string of numbers, but a name. Moss the Maddest.

You can see The Sarge sitting at her desk and watching you patiently, her features only slightly blurred by your CORETECHS interfacing with the C.O.B.R.A's network. You inform her of Moss the Maddest and she arches an eyebrow, a moment later she starts to make a CORETECHS call. She patches it through her desk's holoterminal so that you can view in. An image of Moss appears on the holoterminal momentarily.

Moss the Maddest: Hello The! It's always a pleasure to speak to Heinlein's finest. What can I do to help out the facilitation of our protection and servitude?

The Sarge pinches the bridge of her nose in an increasingly familiar look of expected exasperation as she addresses him.

The Sarge: Mooooss? I've got someone here and we've been delving into the internal systems of a C.O.B.R.A. Could you pray tell me why might your name be at the root node of its construction pathway?

Moss the Maddest: Oh! You've found one of my little scamps have you? Ruddy brilliant! Yes, well obviously I wasn't going to pass up on the deal of the cycle was I! Does this mean I get to collect a share for the one you found?

The Sarge, still speaking from behind bridged noes nods and continues, seemingly ignoring his question.

The Sarge: Right. And Mooosss? Would any of the other Schismatics have. by any chance, partaken in similar activity?

Moss the Maddest: Well I should ruddy well imagine so! It's become a bit of an unofficial competition now! Even more so than usual, you know how we can all be with each other.

The Sarge wearing a clearly pained expression nods even more emphatically and ends the call.

• "Schismatic?"
• "They're making C.O.B.R.As,"

Schismatic:

Me: You called him, or them, Schismatics?

The Sarge: The Scientist Schismatics, basically Freebooter research and development. It's what you might imagine you get when you give a bunch of inventors carte blanche to do all the science they like, minus any of the regulation. And why my job is potentially more hazardous than the equivalent on the most murderous prison station you could conceive of.

• "They're making C.O.B.R.As,"

Me: So these guys are actually making more C.O.B.R.As to cash in on your reward?

The Sarge: It would appear so, yes. Now I'm sure not all like sweet old crazy Moss there really thought it was a deal. Whatever the motivation though, clearly offering an incentive for the capture and destruction of mechanical devices on a station of mad scientists was not the way to go.

Before you can react, The Sarge waves a hand in front of her, interacting with the interface in her field of view, and a station-wide announcement soon appears on your CORETECHS.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Please note that incentives for the capture or destruction of C.O.B.R.As is now rescinded. Thank you.

• "You sure that was wise?"
• "What do you think will happen?"

%%%%%

Something else:

Me: "You know what? Maybe I should try another option first."

The Sarge nods and spreads her hands in an open gesture.

The Sarge: It's your rodeo. What are you thinking?

• "I'll interview people."
• "I'll track some C.O.B.R.A.s."

Track:

Me: "I think I'll go track some C.O.B.R.A. and observe them in their wild habitat, so to speak."

The Sarge: Right, not a bad idea. It could give us some clues or an idea of a weakness or way to get rid of them. Good luck!

Find and follow some C.O.B.R.A. around Heinlein Stronghold.

%%%%%

Interview:

Me: I think I'll try interviewing some folks around the station and see what we can find out.

The Sarge: Interesting. You think there might be more to this? Sure, call me if you learn anything.

The Sarge nods at you in closing and turns back towards her paperwork, leaving you to exit the brig and begin finding people around the station to interview.

Interview people around Heinlein Stronghold and learn more about the C.O.B.R.A.

Next NPC: Moss the Maddest, Brig, Heinlein Stronghold

• Ask Moss about C.O.B.R.A.

You approach the Scientist Schismatic known as Moss the Maddest who you had noticed loitering about the brig earlier. He is a wild eyed Harsene with bushy hair that contrasts to his deadpan expression. His features, however, light up at the mention of C.O.B.R.A.

Moss Maddest: Ruddy brilliant aren't they?! These little scamps have been programmed to endlessly scavenge and build more units of themselves. A self-perpetuating mechanical cycle!

Moss the Maddest: And don't even get me started on The Sarge's incentive deal with credit reward scheme! What a game? Wowee! Absolutely t'riffic! We've all been having a blast. Coming up with our own variations, building better, more prolific C.O.B.R.A. It's just ruddy awesome!

• "It's not a game."
• "Others?"

Me: But it's not a game though. The reward is not a prize, simply an incentive for people to catch C.O.B.R.As! You have been making more??

Moss blinks at you for a moment as he processes this.

Moss Maddest: Aha…I see. Yes…well, in this case, it turns out that some of us have made a rather grave error I feel.

• "Others?"

Me: Wait, what do you mean? Are others also taking part in your 'game'?

Moss the Maddest: Yes, well. I mean of course. It brought out the natural competitors in us! It's just the kind of game that appeals to a Scientist Schismatic. I mean, it turns out it is actually not the kind of game. Hmm…perhaps we should talk to the others about this?

Without waiting, Moss initiates a group call and includes you. A number of images pop up in your field of view as various other scientists accept the call. Your CORETECHS, sensing that one speaker is near, mutes Moss's feed on your interface to avoid any echo loops.

• "Erm, hello everyone."
• Stay quiet.

%%%%%

Notes

• "Hello! Scientist Schismatics, have you tried turning it off and on again?" is a reference to a repeated line from the British sitcom The IT Crowd
• Moss the Maddest himself is probably a reference to Maurice Moss, one of that show's main characters

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